Who Should I Start? Chris Conley or Ricky Pearsall

Sunday, January 5, 11:14 PM

Wide receiver Chris Conley had one of his best games as a San Francisco 49er during a 47-24 loss to the Cardinals in Arizona on Sunday. The 32-year-old journeyman caught all four targets for 59 yards receiving from backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs. The yardage and reception totals more than doubled Conley's 2024 production entering Week 18. Conley's stat line looks very similar to his only other productive game with San Francisco, which came on the final game of last season (three receptions for 69 yards). Over his 10-year career so far, Conley has amassed 226 receptions for 2,998 yards and 15 touchdowns. Conley will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and will likely be off the fantasy radar wherever he lands.

Sunday, January 5, 10:47 PM

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall followed last week's breakout game with another strong showing in Sunday's 47-24 Week 18 loss to the Cardinals in Arizona. The Arizona native caught six of eight targets for 69 yards, including a six-yard touchdown grab on a contested slant pattern from backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs. Pearsall, who started his 49ers career on a terrifying note -- being shot in the chest during an armed robbery attempt -- had an up-and-down year once he debuted in Week 7. Pearsall produced four fantasy-useful performances in 2024 but seven in which he was held below six half-PPR points. With momentum and the validation of his first-round pedigree this season, Pearsall could be an intriguing late-round fantasy pick in 2025 depending on the health of Brandon Aiyuk's knee, and if Pearsall can move past Jauan Jennings and/or Deebo Samuel Sr. in the 49ers' hierarchy.